A history of innovation

Founded in 1989 as Direct Valuations, the SDL Group has long been associated with excellence in surveying, providing clients such as First Direct and HSBC with national valuation solutions, alongside excellent service and fast turnarounds on valuations for consumers.

25 years on, we continue to innovate, are proud to have retained the HSBC business, and now employ chartered surveyors across England and Wales. Our bespoke iPad software and IT infrastructure enables these property experts to gather full documentation, on site, providing home buyers with accurate, detailed information on which they can make important, informed decisions on their property purchase.

We are aware that purchasers may be unsure as to why they need a survey and what each survey type entails. We advise them that commissioning a professional survey is the best way to reach an informed decision on all important considerations involved in buying a house. We believe that commissioning a survey is a simple and cost effective way of avoiding potentially unpleasant and much costlier surprises when moving in.

SDL Group

At the SDL Group, we have been providing expertise in residential property services since 1989. Today we offer national coverage in risk management, surveying, lettings, estate agency, mortgages and insurance broking.

The Group began in 1989 as Direct Valuations, a national property valuation solution linked to First Direct, and became Shepherd Direct following the addition of Shepherd Surveyors (England and Wales) to the Group.

From 2011, the Group built on the surveying business to form SDL Lettings, providing back-office lettings support to landlords.

In 2013, the Group acquired the license to franchise CENTURY 21 UK, part of one of the world’s largest estate agency organisations. There are now around 60 CENTURY 21 UK branches across the UK.

The Group also owns a stake in Stonebridge Mortgage Solutions, one of the UK’s largest mortgage brokers, which incorporates moneyQuest, an across the market mortgage broker based in Glasgow with nationwide coverage, and Pure Protect, an insurance broker, who specialise in advising consumers on behalf of mortgage brokers.

With the acquisition of the national surveying and auction business CP Bigwood in 2015, the Group’s nationwide presence in property services was further enhanced. To capitalise on this, the Group’s name was shortened to SDL, to reflect the Group’s forward-thinking, entrepreneurial approach.

In 2016 the group acquired the most successful auction house in the East Midlands’ Graham Penny, this formed SDL Auctions which is now one of the UK’s preeminent property auction networks, with regular auctions nationwide.

In 2017 SDL Property Management was formed encompassing lettings, estate management, commercial agency and PRS. The business evolved from several acquisitions including SJ Higgins & the Alexander Faulkner Partnership.